How to Make Blanched Almonds

Tap to Read ➤ Smita Pandit

Blanching is a cooking technique that is often used when one needs the food item to be just cooked partially. This write-up provides instructions for blanching almonds.

The term 'blanching' refers to a cooking technique wherein a food item is put in boiling water and removed after a certain period of time. The food item is then placed under cold running water. This process also makes the task of peeling the thick skin of any fruit or vegetable easier.

The skin of nuts such as almonds can also be peeled off easily after blanching them. After almonds have been blanched, these can be ground to make a paste. It must be noted that the flavor is not lost in this process. No wonder, almonds that are blanched are often used in desserts.

You can even store them in the freezer and use them whenever you want. A cup of whole kernels of blanched almonds amounts to 842 calories. These include 73% fats, 14% carbohydrates, and 13% protein.

Technique

Things You Will Need Boiling water Saucepan Raw almonds Strainer Cold water

Procedure Let them remain in boiling water for a minute. Turn on the flame and bring the water to a boil. Take a saucepan and fill half of it with water. Add the nuts to the boiling water. Make sure that all of them are covered or submerged in water. Make sure that they don't stay in water for more than a minute, or these might become soggy.

Get hold of a clean paper towel and spread the almonds on it. Use a strainer to drain them and rinse them immediately with cold water. After you pat them dry, peel off the skin.

After peeling off the skin, place them on a clean kitchen towel and pat them dry. If you are not planning to use them anytime soon, you could put them in an airtight container and place them in the freezer.

Blanching in a Microwave

Things You Will Need Microwave safe cup Almonds Water

Procedure Microwave them for about a minute. The water in the cup should be boiling hot. Wash the nuts properly and place them in the microwave safe cup. Pour water in the cup. If you have half a cup of almonds, make sure you put only a quarter cup of water. Take the cup out of the microwave and use a strainer to drain them.

Place them over a clean kitchen towel and pat them dry. Run them under cold water for some time. Peel off the skin and pat them dry and store them in a freezer for future use.

Almond Butter Recipe

Things You Will Need Sweet almond oil Almonds Honey

Procedure Set the food processor at a high speed and grind these roasted nuts for about 10-12 minutes. After blanching the nuts and peeling off the skin, pat them dry and roast them. Processing will lead to the release of almond oil.

Add a little honey to sweeten the almond butter and process till the honey blends in the butter. Set the microwave at 110 degrees and warm up a little sweet almond oil. Add this oil to the processor and process till you get a smooth consistency. Put the almond butter in a jar and place it in the refrigerator.

Butter that is made with the aforementioned recipe can also be used to make delicious cookies.You can sprinkle toast these almonds over salads or use them for garnishing the desserts.